2014 position watch: Linebacker

If there was ever any doubt that LSU was going to lean heavily on that huge 2012 linebacker class this fall, it's gone now. The Tigers signed a truckload of young linebackers last winter -- six to be exact -- to account for a big loss of depth at the position. Partially due to their talent and partially because of LSU's enormous injury history this season, those youngsters are putting their time in.

Five of the six have found regular playing time through the first half of the season, with only Trey Granier failing to find his way to the stat sheet. Kwon Alexander, last year's top-ranked LSU commit, started two games in place of missing starter Luke Muncie before breaking his ankle against Florida. Fellow freshman Lamar Louis started in his classmate's place this last weekend and chalked up two tackles.

Even if veteran Kevin Minter departs early for the NFL draft this winter, the Tigers appear to have stockpiled plenty of talent at linebacker. But the mission continues for more talent, as evidenced by the fact that LSU's first pickup for 2014 was a linebacker.